I was wondering if anyone does or has a spouse give them there B- 12 injections. Is it really cheaper than going to the doctor and getting them? I would be having my wife give them to me and am wondering if it is an easy task.

Any info would be helpful. Currently I pay $30/ month to have the nurse give it to me and there is travel time for that. My pharmacist said that a 1 month supply of B-12 was going to be $14 but that did not include the needles in which he could not find a price on them so I don't know what they cost. What do you do with the spent (used) syringes?

Thanks!

WolfieDiagnosed with Crohns in 2001First and hopefully last Ileocecectomy 2/18/2009

DH has been giving himself B12 shots for years. Doctor writes him a script to get a "bottle", (this is much cheaper than pre-filled syringes), and he injects himself in the thigh first of each month. He purchases new syringes from pharmacy and takes used needles to the doctor periodically to be placed in their used syringe container for disposal. No big deal...but then I am not the one being stuck either!

It would depend on your insurance, but I do my own monthly shots for about $1.50 each. It is much easier than going to the doc's office (which I did for YEARS) and paid for it!!! It doesn't hurt and I use my thigh muscle:)

Your Dr.'s office will train you to give yourself the injection.My Dr. would not charge me,I could just call ahead,but I always forgot about them.Sharps and B-12, and swabs costs me about $20 a year,at the most.For me its only once a month so its not that bad to stick myself.(I do it in my side)Once you do it a couple of times you should be fine. Good Luck!!B-12injections,Pentasa,Loperamide,Entocort,6mp,Hydrochlorothiazide,8 weekRemicade,vitamin-D,Fluconazole.More over the counter vitamin-D. Remission since surgery and 5-years, of 8-week Remicade..

Giggle. I remember how long I kept refusing to give the B12 shots myself. The thought horrified me!

When I finally agreed to at least TRY, my doctor's nurse promptly thru the filled syringe away and returned w/a newly filled syriinge w/a needle on it CONSIDERABLY shorter and thinner than the one they use in the office!!!!!!

Whew! That made the idea a little easier to wrap my brain around! The first shot I gave w/the nurse standing by to encourage and direct me was hilarious. I was sweating, my hand was shaking, I pinched up a bit of thigh and stuck the needle in w/great trepidation - only to pull it out in reaction!!! She got a new needle and I tried again and it was a piece of cake!! NOT painful, nothing!

After that I was giving myself B12 injections WEEKLY for over a year before going to once a month and now not currently needing them at all.

Mind you, I'm the gal who when my kids were infants and getting their infancy shots the doctor had to bring the syringes into the room on a tray covered w/a sterile sheet and tell me to close my eyes whilst he gave the shots - or I would immediately on just seeing the syrnge go into dry heaves or vomit!!!

You can do it. And will be amazed at how easy and painless it is. Just in case, if it will ease your mind, ask your doctor to script the shortest, thinnest needle that can be used w/B12.

Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

I give myself B12 injections... much cheaper than going to the Dr - and easier b/c you can do it anytime of the day! I was scared the 1st couple of times - but so easy! I asked the pharmacist to recommend a needle size when I got the scrip - and have pretty small needles. Can't believe it is so easy to do!! I do them in my side or thigh. And feel better so quick - it's worth it. You can do it!!Married, 1 daughter

Currently on Remicade, Azathioprine, Wellbutrin and occasionally Xanax or Hydrocodone... have had 3 Crohns surgeries, many hospitalizations! Sometimes this disease really gets in the way of what I need to do during the day!!!

Well my wife gave me my B-12 injection with the nurse coaching her. I did not think that she was going to be able to do it and that I was going to have to stick myself in the thigh, but she pulled through it. Actually, she did better then the nurse ever did, I did not tense up and I never felt it go in. Now to not piss her off when my B-12 is due.Thanks again!WolfieDiagnosed with Crohns in 2001First and hopefully last Ileocecectomy 2/18/2009

you can usually get a box of 100 syringes for $20-$30 at the pharmacy. you dont need a prescription; i find this to be cheaper than using insurance that will only let me get 2 syringes a month. I have been giving myself shots in my arms every 2 weeks for about 2 years. if you can get a family member to do it, it may be easier, but you should learn how to do them yourself; a nurse or a pharmacist can show you how. im certified to give shots, but i still find it hard to make a quick jab into my own arm, leg is probably easier.the key, be delicate with the needle tip when you are drawing up the liquid - anything that touches the tip dulls the needle slightly - not enough to see.. but i've been too rough with the needle and you can feel the difference. not trying to scare you, just be mindful of that.you should also be able to buy sharps containers at the pharmacy. i buy the syringes that the needle twists off and i throw away the barrel and put the needle in the sharps container - saves a lot of room.crohn's terminal ileum - 11 years

When I was doing the weekly B12 shots I recycled a margerine tub w/cover and kept my used needles in that until I went to the doctor or the hospital or lab and then would just give the margerine tub to them to get rid of w/their "sharps". Heaven knows we buy enough margerine we never have to worry about running out of recycled tubs and covers! They're just the right size for left over vegetables too.

Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

They taught us to use 1 needle to fill the B-12 and then discard that one and put a new one on so it is nice and sharp. They said that the rubber dulls the needle.insurance gave us 12 syringes, but they are not the safety flip tips. The pharmacy said they have never seen those. Oh well just need to be carefull.Diagnosed with Crohns in 2001First and hopefully last Ileocecectomy 2/18/2009